Recruiting Report: Zach Huffman (2019)
Just this past weekend in Fort Wayne, we were having a conversation with a Division III college coach about the value of having a 6’4”-6’6” player who inspires his teammates with effort and toughness. The point was, those type of guys inspire teammates and force them to take their game up a level.
A couple hours later, Lebanon 6’5” forward Zach Huffman (2019) was using his stocky build to fight for post position and rebound like a mad man for Apex in the Gold Bracket semifinal game.
Although Apex lost by one point to the Iowa Barnstormers Silver in that Sunday afternoon game, Huffman’s inside scoring ability and rebounding made an impression, because they were a product of his toughness, energy, and power.
As a junior, Huffman averaged 10.1 points (53-37-58 shooting splits) and 4.7 rebounds per game in the GWOC. He tells us that offensive versatility is one of his primary strengths.
“I prefer to play out on the perimeter, more than just post-ups,” Huffman told us. “I can kind of do a little bit of everything.”
Huffman did convert at least one outside jumper in that game against Iowa Barnstormers Silver.
In order to become an even more complete forward prospect, Huffman is prioritizing his off-hand this offseason. He’d like to become a more reliable ball-handler and shot-maker with his non-dominant hand.
Huffman, along with all other prospects in the 2019 class, is also thinking about college recruitment these days.
“I’ve gotten emails from D-II, D-III, a few D-I schools, about talking to me and maybe heading up there,” Huffman said.
The school we discussed specifically was a couple hundred miles southeast of Lebanon, OH.
“A school down in South Carolina, Catawba [College] has contacted me a few times. I went down there a couple months ago,” Huffman said.
With less than 2,000 student enrolled, Catawba is a small school by Division II standards. He more than meets their academic standards with his 3.3 GPA and 31 ACT score. Regardless, Huffman enjoyed his visit to the south.
“They’ve sent me another email or two, just like talking about going back down there again maybe,” Huffman said.
After another couple months of evaluating Huffman, don’t be surprised if more academically rigorous Midwest programs take interest in this high-motor prospect. For those thinking of recruiting Huffman, it’s important to know what he’s looking for.
“I want a strong program, not one that’s just going to lose all of their games every year. But also, it needs to be a nicer school that you can get a good degree at,” Huffman said.
He’s not sure what he’ll study yet in college. In the meanwhile, he’ll continue playing for Apex, a team that posted a 5-3 on the adidas Gauntlet Silver.